Utiligroup recruits from Alliance Manchester Business School

NorthEdge has a long-standing relationship with Alliance Manchester Business School (Alliance MBS), comprising several collaborative projects each year, a recurring summer internship programme and several speaker events.

During 2015, NorthEdge introduced the “UK Consultancy Project” programme to portfolio company Utiligroup. Matthew Hirst (CEO of Utiligroup) guided five MBA students through a research-led analysis of the trends and strategies in energy retail.

Matthew Hirst commented: “We thoroughly enjoyed working in collaboration with a team of talented and highly qualified individuals at Alliance MBS to investigate the main factors that have influenced and continue to attract suppliers to enter the UK energy market. The whole process has provided excellent value for business and has stimulated us to focus on key areas. Paul Mears assumed lead role in the delivery of the project, ensuring his peers worked professionally and cohesively. Paul’s flair for business analysis and detailed knowledge of the industry has been instrumental to delivering excellent results and we are thrilled to welcome him on-board as a full-time employee.”

Phil Galvin, Associate Director MBA Consultancy, said “the application of theory to practical business issues is a key USP of the Manchester MBA. We are delighted that NorthEdge has the confidence in our output to come back year on year and even more pleased when MBA individuals who have acted as consultants are then employed by the client.”

Upon his appointment, Paul Mears commented: “NorthEdge’s continued engagement with Alliance MBS has fostered opportunities for graduates and young professionals across the North West business community. The Utiligroup project provided an opportunity to apply innovative practices from the academic space and bring value and a different perspective to the business. Equally, the project allowed the student team to develop relationships across the business, the energy sector and the North West business community. Building on those relationships, I am delighted to have the opportunity to join Utiligroup, to be in the company of highly focussed people and be a part of a dynamic business.

Chris Garnett, Head of Postgraduate Careers at MBS, said : “NorthEdge have been incredibly supportive in offering outstanding opportunities for our students to employ their MBA learning through meaningful projects and internships which are hugely valuable for all parties. The opportunity to engaged with the business community in the North West further enhances their skills and networks whilst allowing those organisations to benefit from their existing experience and the academic input they receive at the School”.